What Mandela stood for

No doubt we've all been reading about Mandela's significance and legacy since his death last week. The media will, however, obliterate any mention of the ANC being considered a terrorist organization by Margaret Thatcher, or her support of the apartheid government, except for some independent comentators such as Victor Grossman who, while discussing the situation of the SDP in Germany, does not fail to remember the 20th century towering figure Mandela was and how he had to face the fact that most 'western democracies' backed apartheid: 

 'In the midst of such debates and discussions came the news of Nelson Mandela’s death. All the media joined in the mourning, of course, outdoing one another in praising the old leader, mostly painting a rosy picture of a great conciliator and western-style democrat, somehow smoothing over or ignoring his clear endorsement of armed struggle, his support for Cuba and the Palestinians, his lasting alliance with the Communists. And what they also forgot: while the East German Democratic Republic supported the African National Congress in countless ways, printing its vital exile newspaper Sechaba and providing training to many of its members and future leaders, government and business interests in the Federal Republic, joining those in Britain, the USA and most western countries, backed the apartheid governments almost till the end. Despite all UN resolutions, Daimler, Krupp, the Deutsche Bank and others made over 4 billion euro in profits from dealing with South Africa. This included weaponry of many kinds used to intimidate and kill people and destroy the freedom movement. In those days they castigated the ANC, including Mandela, as Communist terrorists.

But memories are short. Forget that sometimes nasty or dangerous past, bury the truth, turn poor Mandela into a sweet - and harmless - angel of peace, just fitting for the Christmas spirit. Ho ho ho!'

There are also those who flag up Mandela's endorsement of anti-apartheid in Palestine and his criticism of the US as laid out in these quotes to be found in commondreams.org. You can continue reading about this at voltairenet.org.